FRANCE have named their squad for the clash against the visiting Australian Kangaroos, as part of the European league of the 2003 Philips Kangaroo Tour. The squad, which contains some of the best talent in French Rugby League, will in fact not be a ?test? side, rather a French National Select XIII.

GREAT Britain and Ireland have named their squad for the 2003 ?Think! Don?t Drink Drive? Ashes series this November. For the first time ever in the history of the Lions, an Irishman will take the field, with former Dublin Blues and Gaelic footballer, Brian Carney being selected in the side.

WIGAN Warriors Centre/ Second Rower Paul Johnson has today been forced to withdraw from the Great Britain Squad ahead of the forthcoming Test Series against Australia. Paul suffered a freak accident over the weekend where he slashed his index finger on broken glass and he will require a hand operation this week.

THE club season may just be over, and the international season just beginning, but already we have seen some fantastic football, and proof that the game on the international level is expanding. The international season kicked off last Wednesday when a near full strength French side was simply too good for the visiting New Zealand Maori outfit, recording a 28 ? 16 victory in Carcassonne.

THE PNG based Presidents XIII has recorded a thin 24 ? 22 victory over the visiting Junior Kangaroos in the second match at Lloyd Robson Oval. The Australian based PNG Presidents XIII lost to the Junior Kangaroos 22 ? 18 in Darwin on Wednesday, with the short time the side had spent together meaning the difference between the two sides, with the Junior Kangaroos coming off a two match series against the New Zealanders.

CUMBRIA coach, Gary Chambers, has called upon the Rugby Football League to make Cumbria play international games every year after the huge success of the side?s clash against New Zealand A. Cumbria which hasn?t played for nine years, with its last clash being against the Australian Kangaroos back in 1994 drew a healthy crowd of 4,124 to Whitehaven's Recreation Ground for the match, and they weren?t disappointed with the thrilling display put on the field.

WIGAN Warriors Centre/ Second Rower Paul Johnson has today been forced to withdraw from the Great Britain Squad ahead of the forthcoming Test Series against Australia. Paul suffered a freak accident over the weekend where he slashed his index finger on broken glass and he will require a hand operation this week.

THE club season may just be over, and the international season just beginning, but already we have seen some fantastic football, and proof that the game on the international level is expanding. The international season kicked off last Wednesday when a near full strength French side was simply too good for the visiting New Zealand Maori outfit, recording a 28 ? 16 victory in Carcassonne.

THE PNG based Presidents XIII has recorded a thin 24 ? 22 victory over the visiting Junior Kangaroos in the second match at Lloyd Robson Oval. The Australian based PNG Presidents XIII lost to the Junior Kangaroos 22 ? 18 in Darwin on Wednesday, with the short time the side had spent together meaning the difference between the two sides, with the Junior Kangaroos coming off a two match series against the New Zealanders.

WARRINGTON Wolves took possession of their new home 'The Halliwell Jones Stadium' this morning. The Wolves started their campaign for a new stadium back in July 1999 and it has taken four long years to get to this stage, with the following events taking place.